Grand Opening Party This Friday!

 I am so excited to announce that our sister store The English Department has officially moved in with Xtabay Vintage Bridal Salon. We think it is a match made in heaven. The English Department carries a carefully hand curated collection of timeless, vintage inspired wedding gowns from local designers as well as national and international designers. We proudly feature the gowns of The English Department's founder Elizabeth Dye, Portland designer Claire La Faye, Portland native turned Project Runway winner Leanne Marshall, New York designers Nicole Miller and Jenny Yoo, Australian designers Sarah Janks and Claire Pettibone, and Los Angeles designer Rose and Delilah. 

We will continue to feature a collection of vintage wedding gowns and reception dresses. In order to make room for the The English Departments vast collection I have moved most of the more casual vintage wedding/reception dresses downstairs, where they can be viewed and tried on without an appointment. 

The English Department is open by appointment Wednesday-Sunday. Call us at 503-234-7568 to make an appointment.  Most importantly, we will be having a grand opening party on January 15th at 6:30 pm. Local vendors will be serving up cocktails and desserts. It should be a fabulous affair! 

Fashion Crush: Claire Underwood

Image from http://insideclairescloset.tumblr.com.

Ever since I started watching House Of Cards I have been totally obsessed with Claire Underwood's style. So imagine my surprise when I saw Claire walking down the television aisle in a dress just like my Xtabay Original courthouse wedding dress! I immediately starting screaming and grabbed my iPhone to take a picture of the screen. Granted Claire's dress is in a different fabric, has a slit, slightly larger buttons and Robin Wright's incredible figure in it,  it is essentially the same dress. I don't know who made it or how it happened but it was pretty exciting. 

Claire's vow renewal dress is available in our Etsy shop. 

This set can be purchased here in our Etsy shop.

Speaking of Claire dresses….this Xtabay Original design also has the classic but sexy style that she tends to gravitate towards. Worn with it's matching jacket it is perfect for the office but without transitions perfectly into a sexy LBD for evening. We offer this dress in both black and white, in white it also makes a killer little courthouse wedding or reception dress. 

Now I don't know if Claire would ever rock vintage heels and a straw clutch but I think this ensemble is pretty adorable. The heels are also about 1/16 the price of her Louboutins! 

New Arrivals

1950's wedding dress in embroidered cotton eyelet, available in the bridal salon and in our Etsy shop.

1950's style rose gold embroidered wedding or reception dress, an Xtabay exclusive design, available in the bridal salon and Etsy shop.

Stunning 1950's prom dress in soft pink and evergreen. Waist 26", available in our boutique and Etsy shop.

Fabulous 1950's abstract silk drop waist party dress, available in our boutique and Etsy shop.

Beautiful blue floral print party dress by Gigi Young, available in our boutique and Etsy shop. 

Lilac 1950's twin party dress by Gigi Young, sold.

Vintage 1950's aqua organza prom dress, sold and going to the prom-again!

1950's golden silk cocktail dress, available in the boutique and in our Etsy shop.

Never worn 1950's Henry Water's Shoes of Consequence,  size 7m, available in our Etsy shop.

Dresses waiting to be shipped out to prom shoppers around the world.

I love this vintage wedding portrait in our bridal salon.

We are having a serious case of the "February fake-out" here in Portland, Oregon. The sun has been shining, temperatures have soared to the mid 60's and people are out in t-shirts and shorts. I even spotted people sunbathing in the park across the street from where I live. I know,  come June we will be shivering with temperatures in the 40s and wearing rain gear until after July 4th. It's just the way it goes here in Portland, and we Oregonians know that when the sun is out you celebrate, even if we look a little foolish wearing flip flops in February. 

Xtabay Vintage Bridal Salon is busier than ever with brides finding their dream wedding dresses. We have such an amazing selection of vintage and vintage inspired wedding dresses right now. Nothing makes us happier than helping brides find the perfect dress. Call us at 503-234-7568 to set up a private appointment. 

Thank you!